Betty Lewis has been singing since she was a child. A mother of two, grandmother, veteran, missionary and singer, Lewis landed a record deal with KingSnake Records in Orlando, Fla. Her music is truly from her heart and soul, and she credits the Holy Spirit with her inspiration.
Q&A with: Betty Lewis
Q: We are so excited about your new record deal. Can you share how you landed it? Lewis: I started singing in my mother’s womb is what I’ve been told. All my life, there has been a song of some kind inside me. My first record deal was with KingSnake Records in Orlando, Fla. This blessing came from a young man that grew up listening to my music. He stated it was only natural that he recorded me since I’m the talent that influenced him to get in the music business. He’s Vincent Bankston, owner of Rolling Fork Records. He reached out and asked me how long has it been since I’d recorded, and we’re off getting it done. I’ll have a CD release party here in Shreveport.
Q: What advice do you have for others who want to follow their dreams? Lewis: I strongly advise others to believe in their dreams no matter how hard it may seem. Never, ever give up, it’s the force within.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment? Lewis: My greatest accomplishment is raising two beautiful, wonderful daughters alone with grace as my guide. I educated myself, served this country in the United States Air Force, became a humanitarian for my state, city, parish, community and Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. I’m a missionary. [I] have traveled all across our great country and abroad.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most in the near future? Lewis: I look forward to getting a hit record out of this deal and watching my grandkids excel in their endeavors. I love my family so much! I’m so grateful to have such loyal, truly loving fans and friends.
Q: Do you write your own songs? If so, what is your message in most of your songs? Lewis: I do write most of my songs, and the message is from the depths of me, brotherly love, peace, dealing with a broken heart, what’s going on and just what I consider the truth.
Q: What can your fans look forward to on your next album? Lewis: It will be a soulful Betty and will be rich with emotion.
Q: How did you know you wanted to pursue your dream of being a singer? Lewis: My dream of being a singer just fell in place after I wrote my first song ‘Don’t You Know.’ After that everything snowballed. I’ve never stopped since. God has blessed me so much. I never dreamed I would have gone so many places in this beautiful world.
Q: Is it hard to be a singer in Shreveport? Lewis: I can’t really say it’s hard to be a singer in Shreveport as a female vocalist. I once heard Dick Clark say, ‘You have to go with it. Don’t wait for it to come to you.’
Q: Do you have advice for aspiring musicians? Lewis: Believe in your dreams, no matter how hard it seems. Never, ever give up because no one said it would be easy. I’ve been truly blessed to have such loyal musicians, friends and fans.
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